THESIS ON CLASS INEQUALITIES, ORGARNIZATIONAL WEAKNESS, PARTY
BUILDING AND CLASS STRUGGLE: BY SA DIKOLE1. Introduction
1.1. The current political crisis that we are facing in terms of
organizational polarisation remains a real challenge for the future
of the SACP in the North West Province. Opportunism and
factionalism both within the ranks of the movement emerge as a
result of putting the revolutionary theory into periphery whilst at
the same time there is a trajectory which carries on its trail, the
deliberate agenda of weakening structures by those who are in
position of power in class relations. Reality of the matter is that
both factionalism and opportunism are cornerstone for
self-enrichment and the anchor for engendering of compradorial
strata of the capitalist system
1.2. Internationalism has also evolved since the demise of the
Soviet Union. Of course there are some contradictions and the full
capitalist onslaught that has emerged in the process. The
revolutionary theory had been in usage by parties which had been on
power to change lives of the citizen. Organizations of the Congress
Movement had engaged into ideological exchange with other fraternal
formations. One of such organization is the Communist Party of
China. Capitalism had fully developed in China but the organization
is so strong and it can manage and discipline capital. The
capitalist system is now facing political and economic crises which
in real terms are as a result of resistance and rebellion on the
country that are in the South. The formation of
BRICS[footnoteRef:1] remains a milestone which facilitates
development from the level of the South. The sanction that is been
currently imposed against Russia had some positive bearing on right
to self-determination as well as building strong economy which is
not been underpinned by Brettonwoods regulations [1: Recent studies
shows that BRICS had overtaken powerful status that was occupied by
G8 in the last 25 years]
1.3. 20 years of democracy symbolize gains and setbacks which
the liberation movement had engaged with in the transformational
programme of our country from three centuries of Colonialism of A
Special Type. The outlook of transformation had been conducted
within framework of capitalist framework of oppression. Founding
fathers of our democracy are telling us that current phase of
social transformation is more complex than the struggle for
fighting against the racist tyranny (Apartheid)[footnoteRef:2].We
might conclude that this is a correct conclusion in a sense that
entirely capitalism has also reproduced itself and non-racialism by
co-opting the compradorial section of Black elite. [2: Thabo Mbeki
was addressing the Jews community during the memorial services of
President Mandela]
1.4. Further complexities also emerge because of weakness of
organization and wrong ideas which are renting our organization
into asunder. Regrettably there is the working class disunity which
has emerged because of the relationship between the state and
working class. Put in another paradigm many in the trade unions had
raised their dissatisfaction on how key leaders of the SACP had
been involved in some of anti-working class policy formulations
Revolutionary theory had played important role in fighting the
draconian system of oppression. Dialectical Materialism was (and
remains) a tool that could explain the outlook and the nature of
the system and also undermined lamentation but developed solution
to the problem.
1.5. People always have been the foolish victims of deception
and self-deception in politics, and they always will be until they
have learnt to seek out the interests of some class or other behind
all moral, religious, political and social phrases, declarations
and promises. Champions of reforms and improvements will always be
fooled by the defenders of the old order until they realize that
every old institution, however barbarous and rotten it may appear
to be, is kept going by the forces of certain ruling classes (VI
Lenin, 1913, Sel. Works, P. 24, Progress Publishers, Moscow).What
we can deduce from this statement is that classes exist in society,
that there is no class neutralities, hitherto society is been
characterised by class struggle. Subsequent to that we should
locate the theory where we work, study and leave. Marxism is not a
dogma but a living theory which seeks to liberate mankind
1.6. The main aim of the paper is to pay attention into building
strong organization and also create a framework of waging into a
relentless struggle against capitalism .Central to that it should
be important to identify trenches and strength of capitalistic
nature of our society. The emancipation of the working class should
be the work of the working class itself according to Marx. Within
the same paradigm it means that we should build strong organization
with capable leaders to lead class struggle, wherein there is an
apparent, mobilization, organization as well as education of a
class. Obvious this cant happen without having and advanced
detachment to the class that has to make history. Capitalism had
only played one meaningful role in history by destroying the feudal
system. It had also simplified oppression by dividing the society
into a hostile camp of the oppressors and the oppressed.
1.7. It is precisely for these reasons that we should
interrogate our understanding of vanguardism and Party as a
vanguard of the working class. Vanguardism encompasses leadership
that is been located within a class for historical mission of a
class, say for example mission of the working class is to overthrow
the capitalist system and build egalitarian socialist society
wherein the producers (proletariat) owns what they do produce. The
leadership of a class is been detached in an advanced fashion
wherein leadership is within, and is not tail ending or leading far
ahead from the class connectivity. The leadership is located within
the theory of Marxism-Leninism.
1.8. Society that we are living in remains capitalistic, wherein
the property relations remains unbalanced by the upper hand of the
bourgeoisie in what Antonio Gramsci has characterised it as
trenches and champions of capitalism. Profoundly the struggle for
building socialism must be waged against capital. Unlike other
Marxist(Trotskyites in particular),Marxism-Leninism dictates that
struggle for overthrowing of capitalism cannot be waged in
isolation but within the broader and integrated fashion of unity
against oppression. After finishing his studies in London, Yusuf
Dadoo visited Ghandi in order to persuade him with provision of
facts that the struggle for liberation of Indian community cannot
be isolated from other forces which were engaged in the struggle to
fight repression. Now let us check through this historical legacy
as to where are we and where are we supposed to be in terms of
leading society to freedom against Colonialism and capitalism. At
each particular stage in history struggle will have to be in
engaged within the material conditions which determines that
particular period, without undermining the fundamental principles
of a revolutionary theory. Principles of a revolutionary theory
must serve as a guide for action and produce realities, as Lenin
would say practice is the criterion to determine the truth. It is
quite important to identify areas and manifestations of class
inequalities .Central to that we should annihilate and unravel
patterns of inequalities
2. National Question post 1994 and politics of regionalismSouth
Africa post 1994 experience peripherilisation of the theory of the
National Question as a framework for implementation of the NDR.
There is no tool available what so ever to determine whether we are
on the right track for implementation of the NDR. Many
theoreticians had side-lined consistent engagement on the theory of
the national question. In the whole conceptualisation we find a
situation wherein we no longer talk about the National Democratic
Revolution but a National Democratic Society which it does not
auger well in many Marxist-Leninist of our time.Wrong ideas had
instead been accommodated in order to champion issues of narrow
selfish interests of tribalism, regionalism and chauvinism. Here in
our province comrades are using the demons to reach their ultimate
goals of private accumulation.The question is why this has to
emerge-the reason is simple, capitalism creates conditions for
people to fight for their own selfish interest of getting money and
tenders. Political education had been undermined and been relegated
as a process of some educated elites within the organization3.
Motive Forces and Stratus of the NDRCurrent challenges that we must
face is to give critical analysis of the motive forces of the
National Democratic Revolution. Any revolution had the forces that
will have to make it to realise its ultimate objective goal. The
main aim of NDR within our context is to address the national
grievances in whatever forms it manifests itself with a particular
level of biasness .This entail working class being a prime motive
forces wherein black people in general and Africans in particular
becomes the beneficiaries. At organizational and political level
means that we should have decisive and determined leadership which
guide the revolution, any revolution must have collective
leadership to provide guidance. Capitalism through its manipulative
measures had derailed the driving process and put price on the
values which intended to bring radical changes. Strange enough we
no longer have the word revolution in our vocabulary but the
national democratic society. It is within the context of the
National Democratic Society wherein we see priests, chiefs,
student, professional are now compradorial forces of the state
whereby state is been used for their egotistic calculations and
this had perturbed people. Clearly some chiefs and priest have
determined their association with the state not to champion the
interests of the masses but to forward their business interest and
claim that they are doing such tendencies at the behest of the
masses It is precisely for this reasons that civil protests are
been seen as level of civil disobedience not a matter of addressing
genuine problems of the masses. Capitalism had created an
environment wherein masses can be misled by other forces that in
turn there are about their selfish interests. Unfortunately thesev
wrong tendencies had been accepted as right thing to do under the
guise of selfish appraisal by the exploiters. The danger that
working class formation should avoid is about formation of other
Western modernised political parties[footnoteRef:3], because on its
own it gives capitalists more impetus and replace working class as
the primary motive forces in the National Democratic Revolution.
Whilst it is not a secret that ANC is more committed to the
capitalist accumulation path, it does not necessarily meaning that
therefore we should abandoned revolutionary space for engaging on
class battles. [3: France Hollande and the Socialist Party won
election and after that they are pursuing imperialist agenda
outside Europe through NATO and EU]
4. Working Class demobilizationA bourgeois revolution expresses
the needs of capitalist development, and, far from destroying the
foundations of capitalism, it effects the contraryit broadens and
deepens them. The revolution, therefore, expresses the interests
not only of the working class but of the entire bourgeoisie as
well. Since the rule of the bourgeoisie over the working class is
inevitable under capitalism, it can well be said that a bourgeois
revolution expresses the interests not so much of the proletariat
as of the bourgeoisie. But it is quite absurd to think that a
bourgeois revolution does not at all express proletarian
interests.Many people in the trade union movement and wants to
believe that by virtue of ascending into power by the ANC, it
becomes automatic wherein the ruling class are defeated. Some
amongst us believes that working class cannot engage government and
capital through mass action because they are discrediting the
leadership and the state .Reality of the matter is that ANC had
explain in many of its documents that it does not lead a particular
section of the society, but a broader social classes and strata. In
real sense there is biasness that had been created by conducive
environment for capitalism to triumph. This leaves working people
with no option but programme of destabilizing the capitalist
system. As Marx puts it the working class had important role to
liberate itself. Fundamental point of departure is creation of
working class unity against capital not only that but a
historically determined mobilization against social exploitation. A
bourgeois revolution is a revolution which does not depart from the
frame work of the bourgeois, i.e., capitalist, socio-economic
system. The main challenge for the Communist Party is to be
scientifically objective in this current political trajectory and
provide leadership as a working class vanguard. There is no way in
which a Communist Party can compromise its class interests solely
for capitalist advancement. Equally a Party cannot be dogmatic in a
situation which is fighting to champion working class hegemony.
Tactical compromises can be made precisely to reinforce the main
strategy of overthrowing capitalist system5. Working Class
unityBasically this is all about unity of purpose, precisely to
undermine and destroy the capitalist system where we work, live and
study. According to Marx if the workers were having consciousness
of their power the struggle for socialism could not be embarked on
an ardours road. Now the work of the Vanguard Party of the working
people becomes more committed in agitating, mobilizing and
organising cadres who will become critical component of the
advanced detachment. It means that within the same context the
Communist Party should train members within the context of Marxism
and Leninism as a revolutionary theory. Equally training must be on
a simple basis wherein complexity of the theory got unpacked. One
of the great mistake that we normally commit as an organization is
entertain a process wherein if a worker is shopterward of a leader
of a trade union therefore he is possessing ideological clarity and
possess values of a communist values. Working class struggle cannot
be waged in isolation but within a broader class working class and
other forces. In his letter to his friend and comrade, Karl Marx
conceded to Fredriech Engels that he thought Irish workers and
English workers can unite easily against the capitalist system,
which was in contrary. Clearly it tells you that workers are always
become vulnerable to politics of race, chauvinism and the
repressive political system despite common challenges and
oppression from the capitalist system. Therefore workers party must
agitate workers and teach them about these demons. Central to that
as a revolutionary party we should simplify oppression and identify
capitalism as well as its modus operandi .At the ideological level
SACP had always been emphasizing a fact that it will serve as a
vanguard through democratic contestation with other political
parties. It had always been capable to bring all left ideologies
into its ranks6. Class contradictionsThe universal contradiction
which are inherent principles of social revolution are categorized
in two formations. These contradictions are in a form of,
antagonistic and non-antagonistic contradictions[footnoteRef:4].
[4: See Marxis-Lenist Philosophy;A Sheptulin;1978 progress
publisher]
Therefore the challenges are wherein you find cadres and members
implement decisions which are contrary to SACP historical mission
by mere fact that they are serving in different structures which
are dominated by capitalist forces. Further we need to check our
relations with capital wherein sometimes capitalistic behaviours or
conducts are creeping within organizations. Over the years cadres
of the Party had been placed on a position which makes them to
compromise policies of the Party and carry onslaught on the
workers. A Party cadre is the one who is capable at any
difficulties will bring challenges and threats to the immediate
attention of SACP structures. Equally this cannot happen if the
Party does not have a systems in place to track accountability of
membership into the organization .Currently the organization is
composed of membership of people who are incapable to defend the
organization but rather people who are much more concern on using
the party for their own selfish interests. Another dilemma is when
our cadres and members pay more allegiance to factional politics.
In real sense this is terrible and violating the integrity of an
organization that is intending to fight capitalism, in a sense that
factionalism is a strategic enabler for compradorial and
accumulation.As we are fully equipped with class existence, thereto
class struggle; the Party must develop mechanism to defend itself
from capitalist influence in the structures. Further party cadres
who are deployed in key responsibilities of the state, must at any
time assist SACP to develop understanding on the day to day
operations of the capitalist system. The crisis of the capitalist
system gives the working class a necessary impetus which will
deepen class antagonism in property relation with intention to
change ownership in real and authentic radical nature.7. Structural
basis of the bourgeois economy.
Political economy in general has a class, partisan character,
since there can be no neutral social science in a society based on
class struggle. There can also neither be class neutrality of the
state and its institutions, among them, the judiciary in a class
divided society. The principal key on the discussion is that our
economy is a bourgeois economy which is characterized by private
accumulation and the exploitation of labour. The bourgeois
economics are still continues to be the shop steward of private
accumulation path. The role of the Marxist is to defend the role of
working people in production relation with intention to put more
efforts in struggling for a change. The structural composition of
the economy is much more categorized on the following pillars:
i. MiningMining houses are having much more power are having
more powers to make profit over the needs of our communities. It
does not make impact in changing lives of our people but rather
only interested in making investments overseas. Nothing much at the
political level is coming in ensuring that there is discipline and
time frame for accelerations of the development. State is always
available in making bail out for the Mining bosses Why we are
raising these questions is the fact that capitalism cannot take
minerals in the local communities and therefore the government
behave like a shop steward of the ruling class, wherein the masses
should receive only crumbs that are put on trail of social grants
.Equally capital cannot be given opportunity to consume lot of
water and pollute it at the same time, solely for profitii.
TourismTourism can play important role in developing the economy
and bringing radical changes in lives of our people. The crisis
that it faces is that only few individuals who sits in different
board are using their companies to provide services to the state
with sky rocketing prices. There is no clear regulating measures
which governs the equitable shares to our
communities[footnoteRef:5] [5: 2When we are talking about
communities we are not referring to the point wherein Chiefs,
Priests, and councilors are been coopted for accumulation.]
iii. AgricultureAgricultural economy is still been divided into
powerful white farmers who are supported by powerful white
agricultural institutions. On the other side we are having poor and
upcoming black farmers who they do not have any protection in a
form of finance and access to market.The relations between white
and black emerging farmers are of abusive nature.White farmers
dictate prices to African farmers with intention to get crops much
more cheaper and sell with high price at the agricultural monopoly
industry. Now the SACP has a fundamental role to play here by
organizing these emerging farmers against the total abuse that is
been champion by capitalWorkers and their families are still
experiencing difficulties in the farm wherein they are not
recognised as human beings .Workers must be given access to land
and opportunity to plough and sell their product.Another key aspect
which is also a challenge is the food security in our country. The
initiatives that has been taken by government in this regard needs
to be applauded. In some other instance government went to the
extent of benchmarking with Brazil on food question. Study that was
conducting gave developmental results which are anti-capitalistic.
Government in Brazil encourage and assist communities to have food
gardening and also assist in subsidizing farmers. The Brazilian
government buys from community in a bulk and sell to the big
market. This assist communities to grow economically as well as
improving lives of ordinary people.Now at the community level SACP
should start to work with communities in establishing food gardens.
This can become critical component of Know Your Neighbour Campaign
wherein we encourage and volunteer our branches to assist in
establishment of food gardens. At a broader political level
government must also buy bulk products from communities and sell to
the markets.iv. State State is an instrument of class oppression,
says Lenin. In a capitalist society the role the state is to
reproduce capital. The state put policies which will give freedom
for prosperity of the system. It is difficult really to understand
the developmental state wherein capital is been given more power to
do as it wishes.State buys services from the bourgeoisie through
procurement process. Those who are in authorities dictate as to how
procurement should unfold more particularly using the BEE practices
.Infect there is a Chinese wall between private accumulations which
comprise procurement package .All in all they survive through a
political will from the executives. In many virtue the executives
are also reluctant in disciplining capital and holding it
accountable for service delivery Land is one of the critical
commodities which the government doesnot have much upper hand in
regulating it for the development .The land that is state owned is
been sold back to capitalists by reckless mayors, councillors,
Municipal Managers and so forth. State as a symbol of oppression
had produce legislation which makes business to reproduce its class
interests within the state. Marxism will require us to talk about
class existence as well as class approach to realities. Let me go
further as the SACP dictates on its policy of doing work in the
community. The areas wherein capitalism exists in a rampant form
are characterised by a distinct by poor service delivery. There are
very is very poor facilities and infrastructures. You only have the
municipality which survives through grants allocation from both
provincial and National government. We need to interrogate this
question after been inspired by the developments in the area. This
area like many areas is a symbol of how the mining companies are
been given liberty through the existing policies to oppress and
abuse our people.All what we are saying is that the provincial
government serves the interests of the bourgeois in a framework
which says let business plays key role of development by
accumulating first. The state had prioritised ushering of crumbs
from the ruling class to ordinary people who are voters. On the
other side of the coin you have Setsokotsane[footnoteRef:6] as a
Pacifist package which is dreaming to accelerate service to our
people, whilst on the other side it had ushered space for
reconfiguration of class accumulation to those who are in echelons
of the state. [6: Key element of Setsokotsane which is good is the
decisiveness and boldness of political leadership in integrating
ANC programme within the state without fear-however it remains anti
working class type of an ideology]
v. Financial sectorsThe big monopoly banks are making valuable (
in terms of capitalist term) income from servicing the state and
people of the land. In return banks are not committed in building
the economic infrastructure for our people. For instances capital
was supposed to avail resources for building local economy which in
return will also makes some contribution to growth in different
levels. This is supposed to be the role of the state in terms of
establishment of the framework and the monitoring tool for
contribution of banks in changing lives of our communities. At
another level the SACP must study the relationship between the
banks and the state as well as communities in general with
intention to determine the truth in process of development What
remains a challenge for the communist movement is to hegemonies
working class struggle in all the above mentioned sectors as this
will bring radical changes. Ideological training and programmatic
engagement with the working class in quite important.
vi. Forces of production within capitalist mode of productionThe
only important role has been played by capitalism is through the
development of productive forces that are also necessary for
proletarian revolution[footnoteRef:7].The current trajectory of
capitalist development has much to do with promotion of class
accumulation at the expense of the workers. We are currently at the
stage which Marx had talked about it more than 156 years ago, when
he stated that capitalism had simplified oppression and divided
society into two hostile camps. [7: The late BG Molewa once told
the PEC of the Party that when Bolsheviks assumed power in Soviet
Union,Lenin asked the capitalist to develop and sharpen the
productive forces and train workers within a mordernised
civilization.]
The most critical part of the hostility in this regard is that
all the intentions which the state seeks to champion for the
economic growth has principle of profit maximisation over the
interests of working people, in a sense that they remained
exploited like during the days of repression.8. Structural
UnemploymentThe economic crisis of the capitalist system is that
the bourgeois growth and does not necessarily transcend into its
development. The current form of economy does not have a commitment
into the creation of decent and qualitative job. In reality, youth
remains one reserve army of unemployed community. The accumulation
regime which is biased to compradorial paradigm does not had
undermined good intention of creating quality jobs. The state have
capacity to absorb many young people and expand the public sector.
Analysis that is been made is that government is been more
commitment in skilling young people without intention to link it
with job creation. The state must change the Expanded Public Work
Programme from being a short term intervention to a qualitative
productive sector of the state with intention to contribute in the
economic development led by the state. Youth Accord
[footnoteRef:8]is a good framework which had laid a basis for
different role players to engage in commitment of job creation. The
state must enforce the deliverables of the Youth Accord to be
practically implemented without any hindrances .Progress report was
supposed in public domain so that we can see successes or failures
of the Accord [8: Youth Accord was signed by bussines,government
and various political Youth formation in the interests of creating
qualitative jobs]
9. Revolutionary HonestyHonesty is something which is not
negotiable and therefore it remains a pillar and strength of any
communist movement including South African Communist Party. From
honesty itself let us single out what is termed revolutionary
honesty as to what is it all about. Originally this honesty is been
underpinned by revolutionary principle, that one is a comrade, and
committed in the struggle against the struggle for national
liberation and socialism. When the Bolshevik won powered Ivo Jones
went to Moscow(not only because he was a doctor, or he was trying
to impress Lenin to deploy him in key strategic communist
power)solely to learn much more about the proletarian revolution
and to position the CPSA in a rightful direction in so far as
contribution to the World Socialist System is concerned. Now the
question is whether do we have revolutionary honesty in the Party
and what is the determined yardstick that we are using in this
regard? There is reservation to that particular effect, in a sense
that currently the level of commitment to the revolutionary
programme is at the low ebb.Practice is the criterion to determine
the truth, says Lenin .Many comrades had developed tendency to
articulate very consummate Marxism-Leninism politics without a
commitment to implement party programme of overthrowing capitalism
and build working class power for a socialist revolution. The same
comrades are the conveyor belt of capitalist class accumulation
path in a reckless paradigm. The current discussion document of the
SACP on organizational renewals is firm on the proposal for the
party to establish Committee for Discipline Inspection. This a
positive development within the Party because it will serve as a
line of internal defence of the integrity of the Party. It will
assist to flush out wrong ideas within the ranks of the SACP. This
is the utmost pillar to defend, educate and re organize
revolutionary honesty within our midst. This revolutionary concept
is currently working efficiently in China, many senior Party cadres
had been expelled in the Party and facing jail sentences as result
of their involvement into rampant corruption in the state and the
Party. The committee is highly objective organ of the party which
has the scientific capability to isolate wrongfulness and unite
organization to a particular direction.In simplest terms, we should
root out corruption in the SACP(if there is any),we must be
exemplary and take the work of the party seriously in different
levels and capacities[footnoteRef:9]. [9: We sometimes made mistake
when we talk about corruption in isolation of the capitalist
system.Actual core of corruption is about promoting individual
accumulation within class accumulation]
10. Revolution or Evolution?In recent past there had been
serious crisis which are as a result of failures of the capitalist
system within the country. These entails now and then service
delivery protest(which in real Marxist terms are qualified to be
termed class struggle),industrial protests, formations of political
parties and the so called united peoples fronts. For example should
we call emergence of Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) and NUMSA
programme a popular revolution? The answer is no, simply because
revolution in South Africa started immediately the Colonialism of A
Special Type( CST) was institutionalised by draconian rulers of the
time .All of us we are conversant to the heroic wars fought by our
people and our movement. We are acutely aware on how inspirations
and interests of South Africans were captured by the Freedom
Charter with clear guidelines and participations of our leaders
without masquerading like EFF. The 1994 Democratic Breakthrough was
and important stages in our history which usher capturing of
political power by majority of our people under the leadership of
National Liberation Movement. At the same time it gave a new form
of a struggle wherein revolution gave a path for evolution of the
revolution .Fundamentally reforms serve as a tactical method to
address the long term objective. Some compromises were essential in
order to bring peace and stability, address housing and electricity
backlogs, deepening democracy (bourgeois democracy), integration of
the education system and so forth. These reform laid foundation for
uninterrupted mobilization of the working people in their demands
for popular changes. Of course there has been some reformist
programme which really working very hard to roll back gains that
were made through political power. This had been to the detriment
of the organization and government on how many populist programme
came into a play as if they are appealing to ordinary men and women
on the street. Despite any relations with the ANC, the SACP should
not compromise the struggle against capitalism, both in the state
and society. At any level the collective must bring to the
attention of the government the danger or threats that are posed by
the ruling class against struggle of betterment for lives of our
communities.11. A Leap within the evolution is requiredBy its very
nature, a leap is a radical approach to dislocate revisionism and
reformism which are key drivers of neo-liberalism. Science of
Marxism-Leninism equips revolutionaries correctly to coordinate it
in order to achieve a determined objective. Arguably it can take a
form of revolutionary insurrection (see dictionary of scientific
communism)if you have well trained and equipped cadres of the
revolution.Arguably the Party can initiate and coordinate a
programmatic leap wherein the whole package is intended to smash
and crush capitalism. This on its own will assist in conquest of
power by the oppressed majority of our people. The entry point for
championing a leap must focus on the following Socialisation of
ownership of means of production. Expanding of the public service.
Peoples education. Peoples housing Peoples economy Development of
the productive forces. Fighting corruption at political level
Radical land reform Transformation of the financial sector.Already
the SACP had laid the foundation on this regard. For the past 20
years the Party had independently engaging with the communities in
the struggle for all what we create as a framework of a leap. We
must disciple capital through the state and enforce responsibility
and accountability for development. There should be no any bail out
in a form of assisting business to bring services to our people.12.
Broadening SACP mass workThe main work of the SACP is to unite
society around their immediate needs and develop strategic and
tactical methods to address the question of unity. Party structures
must fight to rally all societal forces against a particular form
of oppression that might be facing society at a given time.
Struggle for socialism is about establishment of a popular and
united front against oppression. Central to that the SACP must
assist to organize communities in different formation, ranging from
burial society, cooperatives, street committees stockvels and so
forth. Party organizations must be able at any time become a
genuine representatives of these nucleus formation with intention
to bring fundamental changes in society. Party must develop a
scientific method wherein party structures at the local level and
well equipped to work with various formations in communities with
intention to make Party to be rooted within communities. At
organizing section SACP should establish a permanent war room which
will assist lower structures to report to the high organ about life
and activities of Party organizations. Point of emphasis should
also be focused on Party members being well conversant to the ABC
of the Party as it had been developed by Lenin(What Has to be
Done;1902).13. Political leadership versus neoliberal oligarchy and
class suicideLeadership in this regard is about understanding the
nature of society and the institutions which are existing in a
given society. Key aspect in this respect is to understand and
mastermind developments within society, which development moves
from lower level in society towards a complex situation in the
society. We should understand oppression and simplify its operation
and its manifestation where it exists. One of the key principles
which had assisted SACP to stand its ground was a fact that as long
as there is class existence and class realities in South Africa,
Party should exist and make revolution. Now revolution cannot been
made through personal feelings of individuals at the political
level. Further it cannot be superseded by selfish individual
interests of members as well as organizational manipulative process
wherein organization rubberstamp wrong ideas. Revolutionary theory
is a guide to action wherein it plays a critical role in ushering a
guidance for activist to facilitate and organize class struggle in
society. Perhaps at some point Party must set a criterion for one
to become a leader of party organization. Further members of the
SACP must be also well equipped and be protected for making the
Party to be aware of some certain wrong behaviour of
member(particularly at leadership level)There are some instances
whereby the secretariat at the lower level are running SACP like
CEOs of certain companies or parastatals. This is a product of
neoliberal tendencies and accumulation path which is now becoming
rampant in the SACP. There are many instances where we found that
SACP is been used as a platform for selfish upward mobility and in
return qualitative culture of the Party had been rolled back.14.
Principles of Vanguard detachment in any RevolutionFor the Party a
label of being a vanguard is not a masqueraded and parachuted
concept in society. It is well informed concept wherein activism
(on scientific basis)is a bedrock ,coupled with class consciousness
,selflessness, iron hand discipline in purport to bring a
meaningful changes. The nature of our capitalist society teaches us
interests of individuals supersede interests of the entire society
with intention to relegate vanguards to individualism and
organization becomes a commodity and private property of
individuals who use structures to rubber stamp and approve wrong
ideas.The Party should have principles (as it used to) which guides
it into day to day struggle for changing society. The principles
must have clear analysis of society and develop measures which will
impact in proper planning against the capitalist system.SACP had
always been firmed on its categorisation; that it will
ideologically contest as a vanguard Party through democratic means
with other Party. The Party is aware that the democratic space is a
necessary tool to expose the oppressors, unite the oppressed
against the market tyranny. Further Party is aware that through its
literature, and propaganda no any force can challenge its
characterisation of a society and programme to change.Marxism and
Leninism is a consummate philosophical materialism which is a guide
to action for radical change of society through liberation of
mankind from chains of suppression. A Party member is anticipated
to be well conversant with its content and put it into practice in
the context of saying there cant be theory without practice,
hitherto practice is the criterion to determine the truth.Party
member are expected to be the standard bearer of highest communist
ethics and morality and they must bring credibility to the entire
organization. Therefore the SACP should develop a tool that can be
used to measure the deepening, advancement and championship of this
noble concept by its membership.15. Dynamics of capitalism
Marxist-Leninist theory helps us to identify the distinctiveness
of the capitalist system. Not only has that it also provided tools
which are capable to detect situation wherein capitalism reproduces
itself out of the crisis. It is not sufficient to show
irrationality and injustice of capitalism, implying the need for
rational alternative. Capitalism is not a monster that can be slain
by single strategic force. We face a complex and constantly mobile
organism, half machine with its automatic drives towards
accumulation, half animal with reflexes to get around barriers,
cannibalise other capacities and reproduces itself by feeding
rapaciously off its environment. Members of the Communist Party
must take into cognizance the fact that the struggle is against
fighting up against hydra headed kind of a system that cannot be
destroy at any one point but can only be surpassed through multiple
points of transformation based on an ecology that has at its centre
the drive of well human being.
16. Indirect rule by capital and sustainability of compradorial
strata of a bourgeois society
Which class do the ANC government represent? This is an honest
question; which class is benefiting from looting of natural
resources such as rivers, dams, minerals and so forth? The answer
is simple both local and international capitalists are benefiting
from a government arranged package. Capitalism always have what we
called indirect rule .People always rule implement mandate of
capital as long as nobody is shaping and shaking paradigm of
ownership within property relations .In many instances our
relations within organizational structures are underpinned by
interests of money. This manifests itself on how we conduct
ourselves in structural relations.Capitalists should be held
responsible for building of roads, hospitals, clinics, transport,
houses, free education, and employment for the communities. Prior
to Polokwane we used to say in our vocabulary, that capital should
face discipline so that there can be development. Reality of the
matter is that capital cannot face discipline while some of our
comrades are part of capital. Their interests is nothing but profit
maximisation only. Revolution is power that can be put in action in
order to achieve the revolutionary outcome. Therefore if people
claims that the South African government is revolutionary
government what are its revolutionary values. According to Marx the
revolutionary role that had been played by the bourgeoisie in
history was only (1)when they overthrow the feudal system and torn
it into pitiless asunder,(2)only at the times when it develop
productive forces which will be used for production purposes. Now
the South African government had played historic role in a sense
that its values are found within the democratic content. In this
regard it had played role in changing lives of our people. It had
failed drastically to change ownership paradigm in the country.
Capitalism still rule the country with co-option of our leaders
into mainstream of capital, purportedly to make it non-racial and
weaken the Congress Movement. Rivers, streams and dams are daily
been contaminated by the chemical from the mine and lot animals
living in the water are dying on the daily basis. The mining
companies are consuming lot of water for free, wherein in every
village where there is mining, communities have some days within a
week where they stay without water and if you ask you will be told
that mines are taking lot of water. This is become normal within
the municipal leadership. One become suspicious as to whether local
leaders are not part of co-option into the system.
17. Democracy and feudalism on the same basket
On the other hand you have the chieftaincy which sacrifices
people towards the oppression of capital. The strict Marxist terms
regards the chieftaincy as a feudal system which in any history it
exist to oppress people for its survival. This is a clear symbol of
oppression currently within the democratic parameters. In a strict
sense the chieftaincy cannot govern under the democratic framework.
Democracy gives impetus for freedom of movement, speech and
association. When these are put into action the feudal tyranny also
tremble. Now capitalism had in many respects used chiefs as
shareholders and beneficiaries of mineral extractions. It was not
accidental when capital reaches chiefs and headmen to mobilize
striking workers at platinum belt to return to work. The religious
forces of our society are also using the opportunity and platforms
such as moral regeneration to benefit as compradorial forces of
society. As preaches they had now used their position to be in
business and make money. If truth be told some of them they
constitute NGOs on their names in order to milk the state by
masquerading as champions of social upliftments 18. Trenches that
were created by Capital
By trenches of capital we simply are referring to the paradigm
and wherein capital is using them to exist as a doctrine for
accumulation. Some writers had given us a serious warning which in
real sense is not a demobilization but practical reality on how
capitalism has survived its crisis. In all stages wherein
capitalism has found itself in crisis it had always created
breathing space for its survival and therefore a momentum. In the
South African context let us focus our attention on education,
sports, art, culture, health, social welfare and the economy. We
must remember that in the capitalist society or any class society,
there is no state neutrality that is existing. A consummate
evolution of the South African state is that it had always
characterised itself as a National Democratic State, therefore a
developmental state which it had been inspired by the modality of
Asian Tigers.
19. Marikana question
What has happened in the marikana area was total exposure on the
failure of capital responsibility to address plight of the working
class. Capital managed successfully to set workers and capital
against each other .Workers were brutally killed by apparatus of
the state .This in real term has weakened confidence which workers
must have with the democratic state. It went further to reveal
partnership between ANC cadres and mining bosses in a sense that
many of them already are shareholders within big companies like
Lonmin. It is for these reasons that we have not seen any impact
made by the government or organization in addressing plight of
Marikana. Generally the state does not want to hold mining bosses
accountable for what has happened there. The commission itself does
not have power to address property relations and structural
unemployment within our communities.
20. Geographical name changes and sustainability of capitalism
South African revolution (like any social revolution)had produced
many men and women who possess capabilities to defend it. Now the
gains of the revolution cannot be defended simply through the name
changes of provinces, properties without any attempt from the
revolutionary movement to champion what those martyrs stood and
fought for. Many properties and regions had been named after the
forbearers of revolution.These entail the likes of Chris Hani, OR
Tambo, Nelson Mandela,Joe Slovo,Cassius Maake ,Dora Tamana ,Edwin
Mofutsanyane Dan Tloome ,Moses Kotane,JB Marks and many more
.Correctly this symbolise the political freedom that was attained
by the revolutionary movement. ANC strategy and tactics had always
emphasizing a point that political freedom must be used to address
economic freedom. It is precisely for this reason that we should
argue that name changes (as a symbol of political power) must not
be de linked from economic power. Save to say where there are name
changes, there should be a permanent struggle for paradigm change
in property relations. Failure to coordinate and implement this
will champion capitalist triumphalism and roll back of what the
martyr stood for and this will have direct negative impact into the
capacity of the movement to defend its people and history. On the
other side of the coin will serve as a victory by the capitalist
system in deracialising itself. Therefore any name changes must be
championed only if it wants to bring changes in the lives of our
people, and also promoting our diversity as well as our
history.
21. Material PrognosisGiven the rampant crisis of the capitalist
system at home and every quarter of the globe, we should mobilize
strongly against the trajectory of the system .A Marxist Party in
the form of SACP must mobilize social structures of the society
against the monster with sole intention of making them to be their
own liberators. Most profoundly just like economist being shop
steward of neoliberalism, communist must become shop stewards for
the workers and the poor.
Party discipline[footnoteRef:10] [10: General observation is
that there is no discipline in the structures of the Party and the
leadership doesnot have capacity and determined political will to
carry discipline on activities which are anti SACP.]
Members of the SACP are expected by the constitution of the
organization to become standard-bearers of highest communist ethics
and morals with intention to bring credibility in the SACP. The
manner that we are supposed to conduct ourselves is like being in
the army wherein we should all respect the work of the
organization, take our assignments very serious. Central to this
there should be a method wherein Party puts systems in place to
develop membership into cadreship of revolution. Social
mobilizationParty mobilization is different from the imbizo theory
of government. Further it is not a framework wherein you call
people, address them and then leadership disappear without bringing
some measures to address immediate needs of the community.
Programmatically we should itemise the social needs of communities
and agitate for solutions. This can be done by taking people on
board in planning phases of development.It is quite strategic for
the Party to assist communities in formations of organised
structures which will coordinate changes in communities. Women and
Youth programmes within the PartyThe Party takes women and youth as
a vital force of our revolution. SACP has not only theorised on
addressing challenges that are been faced by these formation, but
it had made sure that it champion their interest within structural
level. Say for instance the Party feels that engagement of young
people should not be restricted at the YCL level, but even at the
branch level so that it can have clear understanding on the demands
of our youth. At the local level SACP should facilitate youth
dialogues and assist in formation of youth forums, youth clubs, and
youth NPOs. Women formations. Bourgeois characterisations and
manipulations of gender struggles had succeeded in creating Chinese
wall into the historically interconnected race, gender and class
struggle in South Africa. Systems for addressing gender disparities
had been overshadowed by mechanical principle of 50 percent
representation in all structures of power. Struggle for women
emancipation lacks extra parliamentary features as well as a tool
that can be used to measure the impact. It is not accidental that
Womens League is only visible around the court proceedings only
when women are victims of crimes such as rape, murder and so
forth.It clearly shows that the historic womens organization do not
have a programme to address imbalances of the past.Therefore in
this regard the Party must orgarnise women in communities with
intention of mobilizing them against capitalist patriarchal
exploitation.23. International balance of power relationTwenty
years later after the demise of Soviet Union, the world remains
characterised by unequal development in different parts of the
globe. There is a serious challenges which the world capitalist
system is experiencing. This entail the fall of the markets and
financial crisis. The Military Industrial Complex had been one
method developed by imperialists with intention to expand their
international forcibly with gross human right violations. Serious
developments had also unfolded in the recent past. We had observed
the South to South relation through a formation of BRICS, with
intention to coordinate common developments and common interests
which are independent from the West.The decision by United States
to impose sanctions on the Russian federation had not went
unchallenged by members of BRICS and other progressive forces.
Russia had now opted to have trade relations with many countries in
the South .Clearly this is a major development in undermining the
bullying of United States. The authority in Moscow had vowed to
undermine the world unipolar by championing the bipolar system
wherein the Sovereignty of states are accorded full recognitions
without manipulation by United States.Major breakthrough had
unfolded wherein the 50 Years embargo that was imposed by United
States at Cuba is in the verge of collapse. Recently Obama had made
pronouncement that he is lifting the embargo against Cuba. What the
Cuban authority is emphasising is that this is a victory which was
bought by the Cuban people not Washington authority.The past twenty
years had been characterised by ideological exchange between
different left forces in the world, ranging from parties, youth
formations and trade union federations. These was solely about
sharing experiences on common struggle against capitalism and
building of organizations. The momentum is that capitalism must be
defeated by all means from different quarters of the globe.We must
admit that in some sectors these developments do not necessarily
translating themselves into situations where workers control
ownership of means of production, however it gives impetus and a
space for workers to coordinate their interests at the
international level.One of the critical challenges which Workers
Parties should engage on is the revival of internationalism with
intention to create a platform where their interests will be
addressed with common understanding. Yes the fall of Soviet Union
remains a catastrophic setback but also the left force must stop
lamenting and start to engage on the frame work which will seek to
unite them for a common struggle.
24. Conclusion In a class existing society there will always
been inequalities and manifestations of oppressions.Therefore civil
protests and unrests are characterisation of a capitalist system
because profit becomes primary and services are pheripheralised.
Workers must organized and become united to fight against
capitalists exploitations.Shopstewards and officials of workers
formations must be educated politically so that there must not
become sell out but earn confidence of workers in fighting against
capitalism.Struggle against capitalism must be waged in different
terrains of society. Central to that we need strong organization,
well equipped with revolutionary theory. Unity of purpose is
important for the sole purpose deepening the crisis of capitalism
in society. State remains a critical instrument of a class rule,
despite the fact that other scholars had brought new concepts such
as developmental state. The struggle for socialism must be coupled
with defending the gains of the workers and also the building of a
strong organization which is rooted amongst South Africans
END NOTES 1. Ralph Milliband and Nicos Poulantzas; Problems of a
capitalist state
2. Hilary Wainwright; State of counter-power
3. State of extraction; David Fig
4. State of the South; Achin Vanaik
5. Communist Manifesto Marx and F Engels
6. Selected works of Lenin, vol 3
7. Time no longer: Americans after the America; Patrick Smith
World Order; New Rules or a Game without Rules Putin
8. Marxist-Leninist theory P Sheptulin
9. Medium Term Vision; SACP
10. Setsokotsane programme;
11. Labour Bulletin12. www.rt.com;situation in Ukraine13.
Biography of Moses Kotane; B Bungting
14.People of a special mould;D Goldberg
Thesis on Class Inequalities and Organizational Weakness and
Party BuildingPage 22
